Agricultural implement



Dec. l, 1931. F. .1. sn-:BENMANN ET AL 1,834,185

AGRICULTURAL MPLEMENT Filed May 6, 1929 E e l Patented Dec. l, 1931 UNITED'sIATEs FREDERIC J. SIEBNMANNAND CHRISTIAN E. JOHNSON, OF 'MOLINn ILLINOIS, As-

sIGNORs To nnnnnga COMPANY, OFQMOLINE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOISV AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENT Application med nay e,

The present invention relates, .y generally, to agricultural implements, and particularly to that class of implements commonly `known' as rotary rod Weederawherein a long revolving rod is drawntr'ansversely through the soil below the surface thereof for uprooting the weeds. or breaking. the same from their roots. .f One of the principal objectsk of the invention is to provide a new-and improved construction whereby the depth ofvpenetration at which the rotary rod operates may adjusted and maintained'with greater effectiveness and reliability.y The forcesset up in.

vertical adjustment of the frontportion of the frame functions to vary the suck which these shoes exert on the rod tending to holding it down in the'ground ata given penetration, and by varying this suclcthedepth of penetrationmay be adjustedand maintained with greatlyincreased effectiveness.l

This adjustment is. preferably` the nature of a vertical or fore land afttilting of theI front portion of the supportingl frame around a rearwardly disposedpoint, suc-h. as aro-und the axes of the rear supporting, wheel --or wheels with which these implements y'are usually provided. While this constitutesthe preferred manner Aof efi'ectingthe aforesaid depth'adjustment, it will be `understood that j the invention is notlimited thereto-,as such variation of the suclrof the shoes, and of the other forcesinilue'ncing penetration', may be obtained by corresponding adjustment* of only a part or parts of the frameor'other shoe supporting members. c z i Another object `of the invention` islto pro- 1929. serial No. 360,979.

side of our improved rod weeder;

' Fig'. 2 isa side view of the weeder shown infFigpl; and l Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view taken approximately on the line 3-3 ofv Fig.,1, illustrating Vin full lines oneadjusted` position of lia'rlsNfl*l lol-FICE 'i the front portion'of the frame and indotted A lines another adjusted position thereof.

` TheV prese-nt. Vconstruction is similar; in

some respects to 'that disclosedin the 'c ope'nd` ing application of Christian E. JohnsomSerial No. 312,001 liledrOctoberr 12, 1928 and vrefe-rence will be hereinafter made to such copending application in the description' of certalin'parts of the construction.

; The frame' of the implement is indicated as a whole by the numeral 4f, andcomprises front and rear transversely extending angle bar s 5. 6, connected at their ends by longi` tudinally-extending side bars 7 (only one of which is shown). The front and rear angle bars 5, 6 arey also cross-connected at spaced points by intermediate longitudinally ex' tending angle bars 8, and diagonal brace bars 9. yA longitudinally extending central member or'bar l10 is also suitably secured to the front and rear angle bars 5,6, such central bar 10 being extended rearwardly beyond the rear frame bar 6,- as shown in Fig. 1, tofprovide support for a seat spring 11 upon which is mounted a drivers 'seat '12. Alsosecured to Vthis rearwardly extending bar 10 is asuit able foot rest 13. f*

Thefront portion of the frame is supported on two laterally spaced wheels 14, only that at'the left side vof Fig. 1 being shown.

yOne of these wheels 14 serves as a tractiony wheel for driving the rotary rod, the" tread portion thereof havingr Vanysuitable traction lugs or cleats mounted thereon. Such wheelr is rigidly secured to a rotatable aXle shaft 15 which is extended inwardly beyond theV wheel and is'suitably journaled in spaced brackets 16, 17 secured by bolts 18 to the side bar 7 and to the angle bar 8'which lies adjacent to .said `side bar, as shown in Figs. 1 and 3. The otherv supportingjwheel jat the-right side of the frame maybe mounted on a stub axle also provided with bracketplates 16 and :17for` adjustable attachment to Y'the mainY fra-me. Each of the .brackets 16, 17 is provided with aplurality of sets of spacedholes,

leach set being indicated at 19, 20-and21 (Fig. 3) so that the longitudinally extendingframe bars 7 and 8 may be secured to the bracket plates 1.6 and 17 bymeans of :the bol-ts 1.8.i1i any one 4of three diffe-rent elevated. positions in cHectii-ig the depth -adjustment of the rotary rod,as will be hereinafter described.

kRigidly secured to the intermediate longitudinal bars 8in spaced relation across J(he width ofthe frame is a rseries of .bars 22 extendiiig rearwardly from the frame ,and

curved .downwardly and forwardly .goose-Y ueck formation, .reach Abar 8 and its attached bar 22 forming .effectalong curved beam.

The lower ends `of the bars 22 are adapted to` carry the rotary rod 24 downiiitothe ground,

and lto this yend they are provided withshoelike y'bearing'housings-.23 in which jthe rotary rodhas bearing support. Itwillbefobserved froimrlig.V .2 4thatthe forward -ends of -these shoe-like Vv.membersare pointed sand have f asprocket `wheel 26 iXedly secured "'onithe axle-shaft '15 so as-to rotate therewith, .and

said sprocket wheel is .connected by a chain 27 with a second sprocket wheel 28 which is fixedion a shaft 29. The shaft 29 is jonrnaled in' bearings'su-,itably supported in depending arms of al U-shapedfbracket member .31 ViXed to' the underside of the transverse fraiiiemem- A bei' 6. A brface132is liked at one end `to the member 7 and at its oppositeend is secured yto 'the inside depending armvof the Lik-shaped bracketj31. APivotally mounted on one end of an arm 33 is an idler pulley 34, the :opposite end of said arm being adj ust-ably secured to the brace 32 at 35Y(see Fig. l). rPhe ad'- justment .of the idler pulley 34 through an# guiar-shifting of the arm.V 33 provides for tak-ing .up slack or wear. :in the chain .and -also accommodates the different adjustmentsof the frontportion .of the frame with respect on adiagonally extending shaft 38.

to the axes of the front supporting Awheels 14. Mounted on the outer end of the shaft 29 is a bevel gear 36, which bevel gear meshes with a second bevel gear 37 suitably mounted The shaft y38 is ioiirnaled -in .gi-,suitable bearing in the outer depending :arm ofthe U-s'haped bracket, and is connected to the rotary rod 24 through a universal joint 39. A suitable guarde-1 is secured to the outer depending I' wrm I-ofthe yLl-shaped bracket, 'as best vshown in Fig. 1. Y Y

*f The rear'end of the frame is supported on two laterally spaced caster wheels 43 (only that one at the Yleft side of the implement being shown .in 'the drawings), said caster .wheels being'suitably journ'aled on vertical V.spindles 44. As the mounting of both `these rear caster wheels is Ialike a description of Vlthe fone illustrated will snice.

Rigidly secured tothe .rear angle bar `6 of the frame is -apair'of diagonal bars or mein- 'bers 35 which extend rearwardly from Lsaid frame bar and-converge. toward each other at .theirjrearends. Suitaibly bolted between the f -rearzends-oflsaid members 35 is amounting inemberf46 which comprises a vertical sleeve 47 in which 'the spindle `44 is slidably androtatably mounted. The sleevel member 47 is provided with-two laterally extending per- -oinated-liigs 48 spaced apart'as shown and between which a nut 49 is non-.rotatably nositioned. The upper end 'ofthe spindlei44 lis .reduced in diameter, as shown by dotted lines in Fig.-2, and on 'said reduced portion is f IV'Otat'hly mounted fa 'casting 51 whichiis secured in posit-ionon the :spindle by'nieansof awasher and 'mit 53 engaging vover the upper en -d `of the spindle. The lcasting 51` is provided with .a laterally'extending lug portion 54 which .forms a bearing sleeve for a screw .crank 55. v lheiipper end 'of the screw crank is provided withwa handle portion 56, and below thelugjportion 54 of the casting 51 av collar 57 is pinned to the screw crank to'hold the Same in posit10n,jthere also being a suitable Hangs or collar 58 on the screw crank to bear against the top of the lug portion 54. The

threaded portion of the screw crank threads through the previously mentioned nut 49 which is positioned lbetweenth'e lugs 48 on the lower mounting member 46.

',Ihe'reiar portionof the frame is vraised and lowered relatively to .the rear supporting wheels 43 by means of ythescrewcranks 55, iii the operation of raising'r the rotary rod to transport position and lowering the rod to Voperative position. ,f VRota-ting the two screw cranks in one direction. causes the nuts 49 to be threaded upwardly along. the screw shafts for raising the frame, andfiotating .the Yscrew cranks in the opposite directioncauses these nuts to be threaded downwardly for lowering lil@ the frame. It will be noted thatin-such rais-V ing and lowering of the frame thek entire frame structure pivots about thev axes ofthe twoV front supporting wheels 14. The twoy rear supporting wheels 43 are free toc-aster in any of the different positionsv of the frame, and it will benoted from Fig. 1 that these wheels are positioned-midway betweenthe goose-neck beams 22 soV that ,they will not strike such beams in their ordinary swinging movement. Y f

The implement is pulled by means of two draft rods 61 (only that at the 4left side in Fig. 1 being shown), which pivotally connect with the rear portion of the implement frame at points adjacent to the sides thereof, as indicated at 62-in Fig. 1: The front ends of these draft rods have suspension mounting in elongated links 63 which are suspended from the front frame' bar 6 by meansy of eye bolts 64. Draft chains 65 ext-end forwardly from said draft` `rods 'for 4connection with the teams or a tractor, these draftc'onnections being more thoroughly described in the aforementioned copending application.

Referring now to the manner of adjusting the depth of penetration by inclination ofthe frame, when the two bars 7 and 8 at each si de ofthe frame are boltedk to the lower sets of holes'19 in the bracket plates 16, 17' the front end of the frame is in its lowest posit-ion of adjustment, extending more nearly horizontal, as'represent-ed by the full line position in Figs. 2 and 3. This causes the shoes and rotary rod to run at their greatest depth, the approximate relativedepthof penetration of the rod'at this timeb'eing indicated by the dotted linea1 in Fig.2. The angular position of the shoesy23 at this time is such that theyl exert a maximum suck for holding therotary rod down in the'ground at the desired depth. When it is desired to reduce the Adepth of penetration the front end of the frame is runbolted from the lower-set ofA holes 19 and is raised for rebolting to either of the twoupper sets of holes 2O or 21. The dotted line position Vof the frame in Figs." 2 and 3 illustrates the framebolted tothe uppermost set of holes 21. In thus raising the front end of the frame the rotary rodis bodily lifted to some extent relatively to the rear wheels 43, and they frame isi inclined more sharply rela# tively to its'former position. This inclination changes the angle of the' shoes 23 and. hence changes the suck substantially to the proper degree for retaining this lesser depth of penetration. The approximate( relative penetration in such adjustment is indicated by the dotted line .y/ in AFig-2. j w Y j In eifecting the above described adjustments the 'front end of the frame swings upwardly or downwardly around a'rearwardly disposed point. i Y

In most instances the radjustmentwill be effected when the rotary rod has -beenraised out of the'ground bythe actuation 4ofthe crank vscrews 55, under which rcondition the rear Wheels 43 will generally have tirmbearing support on the ground'. At this time-the vertical swinging of the front end of the frame will occur around the axes of the rear justed with the rod inthe ground such'ad j ust-ment will generally pivot around the axes of the rear wheels, but'if these wheels should be out of firm contact with the ground the adjustmentof Vthe frame in pivotingV about the axis of the rotary rod will nevertheless changefthe .angle of suck of the shoes 23 and etl'ectthe desired adj ustmentV upon forward motion of the implement. The height of the rear wheels 43 will generallyl be set to correspond with the different depth adjustments, so that these rear wheels will runk on the sur-k` face of theground when the rod is running at the-depth for which the front adjustment is set. i Y v .v

If the soil becomes extremely hardftherod may tend torun out but such tendency will be counteractedby theweight ofthe rear part of the frameV and the weight ofthe op` erator.` Ifon the other hand, the soil becomes extremely soft, vunder vwhich condition the'rod would tend torun deeper, such tendency iscounteracted by the contactof the rear wheels with the ground.A rjf-VVhilewe have described what we regard as the preferred embodiment of our inventionit4 will be understood that` numerous changes andrearrangements may be made therein without departing from theessence of the invention. For example, any'suitable lever or screw actuated adjusting mechanism may be connected between the axles 15 of the front wheels and the front end of the frame so thatV the frame canbe adjusted while the implement is inl operation, or, if desired, yonly a certain portion of the frame may be tilted,

such as the curved bars 22.

1. In a rotary rodkweeder, the combination v carried by saidY frame and adapted topenetrate the ground, means for driving saidrotary rod from one of said supporting wheels,'

"5 wheels so that the frame can be tilted upwardly or downwardly about a rearwardly disposed point torzvarying the penetration of saidrotaryrod.'r r l 3. In arotary rod weeder, the Vcombination of a frame, supporting wheels for said frame positioned beyondH the outer endsv .of 'said frame, a transversely extending rotary rod carried byV said trame and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving Vsaid rotary rod, a ground engaging support for said frame in rear of said rotaryrod, and means whereby the supporting wheels 'may be adju'stably positioned relativel to the rame'for adjusting the-front portion of said frame upwardly or downwardly about said ground engaging support for varying the penetration ofsaidrod. V J

4. In a rotary rod weed-er, the combination of a frame, frontsuppcrting wheels for said Yframe positioned `beyond the outer `ends of i saidframe, a transversely extending'rotary rod-'Icarried by saidframe and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving said rotary rod, rear'supportingwheels for said frame, -means adjustabl'y securing -the front supportingwheels tothe front portion offs'ai-d frame whereby the latter may be tilted--vertically about the axes of said. rear supporting wheels for varying the depth of penetrationv of said rod.

5. l In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels for saicl. frame`, atrans'versely'extending rotary rod carried by said frame and adapted topenet-ratethe ground, ground engaging shoe members associated with said'rro'tary rod, means ,for driving said rotary rod from the "tractionpow'er of one of said wheels, andmeans' adjustably connecting said frame with 'said' latter wheel whereby vertical adjustment of said 'frame relatively to said wheel varies the suckof.

said shoe members. Y

` y 6. In arotary rod weeder,.the combination of a. frame, supporting wheels for saidframe. a transversely extending rotary rod carried by said Yframe and'adapted to penetrate the ground,- means for driving said rotary rod, means permitting.verticalfadiustment of the front portion of said frame relativelytosaid supporting wheels, a rear supporting wheel, and means foradjusting the rear portion of the frame relatively to said rrear supporting wheel. 1 y f 7. VIn arotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, front supporting wheels for said frame, a transversely extendingrotary rod carried by said-'frame and 'adapted Vto penetrate the ground, means for driving said ror tary rod from oneof said front supportingwheels, rear ysupporting wheels for -said frame, means to Vsecure vertical adjustment ofthe front portion of said frame around the axes of'said rear supporting-wheels, and means for vertically adjusting the rear portion of the 'frame around the 'axes `of said front supporting' wheels.

-'8. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, supporting wheelsyfor said frame, a transversely extending rotary rod carried by said frame and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving said rotary rod from one of vsaid supporting wheels, ground engaging shoe members associated with said rotary'rod, and means whereby said shoe members are tilted vertically about a point? in rear thereof. i i

' 9. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels for said frame, a transversely'extending rotary rod carried by saidrameand* adapted to penetrate the ground, means tor driving said rotary rod, shoel members adapted to run below the ground with saidV rotary rod and shape to exert a downward suck on said rod, and means whereby said shoe members are tilted vertically abouta pivot center in rear thereot. for varying thersuck of said shoe members, a rear supporting wheel lon the lower end of said spindle, a screw crank extending substantially parallel with said spindle, a`. cap mounted on theupper end of said vspindle and'in which said screw crank is rotatably mounted,'and a `nut'carried by said mounting member and screwing over said screw crank. K Y

10. In a rotary rod-Weeda, the'combination of a frame, front supporting wheels'for said-frame, casterr wheels `for support-ing the `rear end portion of said `frame, a transversely extending rotaryv rod, ground engaging shoe members associated with said rotary rod, means for adjustin'gthe'position of the forward end ofsaid frame Arelatively to said front 'supporting wheelsto vary the depth of penetration of said rotary rod and said shoe members, and means for raising and lowering. said frame relatively to said rear caster wheels to raise and lower said rotary rod.

11. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, front supporting wheels for said frame,v caster wheels for supporting the rear end portion of said frame, a transversely extending rotary rodk supported by said Vframe and adapted to penetrate the ground,ground engaging shoefmembers associated-with said rotary rod, means for `driving said rotary rod,"means for shifting the frame by i'rotating it `.about 'a Apoint in rear of said rod to vary .the depth of penetration of said rod and saidshoe members, and screw lcrank means for raising and lowering saidirame relatively to'said caster wheels to raise and lower said rotary rod.

12.v In a rotary rod .weeder, the combination of aframe, front supporting wheels 'for said frame, caster wheels for supporting the rear end portion of said frame, a transversely extending rotary rod supported by said frame and adapted to penetrate the ground, ground engaging shoe members associated with said rotary rod, means for driving said rotary rod, means for adjusting the position of the forward end of said frame relative to said front supporting wheels to vary the depth of penetration of said rotary rod and said slioe members, and screw crank lmeans for raising and lowering said frame relatively to said rear caster wheels to raise and lower said rotary rod.

13. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination ef a frame, axle shafts underlying the forward portion of said frame, supporting wheels on said shafts for supporting said frame, a transversely extending rotary rod supported by said frame and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving said rotary rod, brackets mounted on said axle shafts, and means for adjustably connecting said frame with said brackets permitting shifting of the position of said frame to vary the depth of penetration of said rod, l

14. In a rotaryrod weeder, the combination of a frame, front supporting wheels for said frame, caster wheels for supporting the rear end portion of said frame, atransversely extending rotary rod, ground engaging shoe members associated with said rotary rod,

means adjustably connecting said frame'with e Vsaid front supporting wheels whereby said frame is tilted about a point in rear of said rod so as to vary the depth of penetration of said rod and said shoe members, and screw crank means connected withsaid caster wheels for raising and lowering the rear portion of said frame for raising and lowering said rotary rod. I

15. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels for said frame, a transversely extending rotary rod supported by said frame and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving said rotary rod, and means for shifting the frame by rotating it about a point in rear of said rod so as to change the depth of penetration of said rod, said means comprising a plate provided with a plurality of bolting holes therein at different heights for adjustably connecting the frame thereto.

16. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, a transversely extending rotary rod carried by said frame and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving said rod, supporting wheels for the forward end of said frame, shafts on which said su ortinof wheels are res Vectivel mounted and means for securing said shafts to said frame, said means comprising al bracket mounted on each of said shafts and extending upwardly therefrom, and means for ad-y justably connecting said brackets with said frame to vary the position of said frame to change the depth of penetration of said rotary rod.' L

17. In a rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels for the front end portion of said frame, caster wheels for supporting the rear end portion of said frame, a. transversely extending rotary rod supported by said frame and adapted to penetrate the ground, means for driving said rotary rod, spindles extending upwardly from said caster wheels, mounting sleeves carried Vby said frame and sliding along said spindles,

crank screws extending substantiallyparallel with said spindles, and devices connecting each of said crank screws with its respective spindle and with said frame, one of said desaid sleeve, a rear supporting wheel on the lower end of said spindle, a screw crank extending substantially parallel with said spindle, a cap mounted on the upper end of said spindle and iii which said screw crank is rotatably mounted,and a nut carried by said mounting member and screwing over said screw crank. f

19. In a. rotary rod weeder, the combination of a frame, supporting wheels for said frame, a transversely extending rotary rod carried by said frame and adapted to pene-V trate the ground, means for driving said rotary rod, ground engaging shoe members associated with said rotary rod, and means for simultaneously raising and decreasing the suck, or lowering and increasing the suck of said shoe members.

In witness whereof we hereunto subscribe our names this 30th day of April 1929.

FREDERIC J. SIEBENMANN. CHRISTIAN E. JOHNSON'. 

